Bridal Fun Back in the Bay

What better way to escape chilly NYC than with a trip back to sunny San Francisco?

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On our recent trip to San Francisco, we met some amazing bridal vendors, attended a few memorable events and of course enjoyed some fantastic views of the Bay!

We got to check out the new Potrero Hill digs of wedding planner extraordinaire Alicia K Designs:

Alicia K

It was great to meet Alicia in person and hear her inspiring story of business successes as she prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her company later this year! As publicists, we especially appreciated the Media Wall she displays in the office. Nice, eh?

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We attended ISES event at The Regency Center with presentations by Kate Harrison, founder of Green Bride Guide, and Johanna Walsh, Eco-Events Planner at NY/SF firm Twirl Management. It was great to catch up with old friends and amazing San Francisco wedding vendors including Emily Dreblow of Soulflower Design Studio and Kathryn Kalabokes of Dream a Little Dream Events!

Selfies in Regency Bathroom

The Regency Ballroom is a grand wedding venue with a huge capacity. While it was too dark to take pictures inside, I snapped a selfie in the Regency’s Grand Bathroom 🙂

 

We also got invited to accompany a San Francisco Chronicle Style section reporter on a styled shoot featuring accomplished San Francisco men in J. Hilburn attire, photographed in the super hip South Park.

SF Chronicle Styling Shoot

 

But our favorite event in San Francisco – and the main reason for going all the way West (besides the endless winter….) was the Junior League of San Francisco 2014 Fashion Show, sponsored by Yael Designs. Known as one of San Francisco’s top socialite and fundraising events of the year, it’s one of the very few days to spot local women in gowns  – after all, San Francisco is more known for casual hoodies these days.

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Here’s our founder Sasha Vasilyuk in Yael Designs rubylite earrings and white Diane von Furstenberg dress:

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Yael Designs jewelry was paired with the new fashion line by San Francisco fashion designer and “Project Runway” contestant  Melissa Fleis:

Yael & Melissa fashion show

As we work with several San Francisco-based clients, it’s always such a pleasure to go back. Especially when it’s snowing outside.

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Weddington Way Launches Spring 2014 Collection

Fashionable, affordable, returnable — leading online bridesmaid dress boutique Weddington Way debuted an innovative line of bridesmaid dresses!  The Weddington Way Collection is the company’s first foray into private fashion labels, so they wanted to make a big splash around the line’s launch.

 

Six Styles of Weddington Way dresses

 

We worked with Weddington Way and our other client Nadia D Photography to stage a beautiful editorial shoot in San Francisco to show off the new collection.

Weddington Way Collection by Nadia D Photography

 

Martha Stewart Weddings was the first to offer a sneak preview of the collection on its Instagram feed. Then, we released the news of Weddington Way’s new collection to all major bridal press.  Here are a few of our favorite press hits:

Brides

Brides raves about the stylishness of the dresses, calling this a collection of “dresses that your girls really will want to wear again after the wedding.”

 

2014_2_Glamour

Glamour Weddings loves the pockets, and “the best part is, unlike most bridesmaid dresses, they ship immediately–meaning you don’t have to wait six to eight weeks for your dress to roll in.”

 

2014_2_CaliforniaWeddingDay

California Wedding Day comments on the great versatility of the collection, stating, “Every style is available in the same colors, making it easy to find a dress that flatters everyone in your bridal party.”

 

Style Bistro on Weddington Way

Style Bistro loves the style of the dresses themselves, as “each made of gloriously unfussy faille in colors such as coral, mint and tuxedo grey.”

 

Ultimate Bridesmaid

Ultimate Bridesmaid loves the returnable nature of the site, “that’s right ladies, you can order without fear and return or exchange if the style doesn’t impress.”

Bridal Reflections hosts Galia Lahav Trunk Show

This past Wednesday, I got invited to a trunk show at Bridal Reflections 5th Ave that was showing the latest collection from Israeli bridal gown designer Galia Lahav.

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Galia Lahav designs are known for bold silhouettes, hand-made detailing and dramatically sexy backs.

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French lace and Italian silk partner for a dramatic yet comfortable style for brides looking for something new.

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The Israeli label is carried in only a handful of U.S. stores and doesn’t show at New York Bridal Market, so I was lucky to have the chance to see the breathtaking dresses at the Bridal Reflections.

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Special thanks to fabulous designer Sharon Sever for his amazing work and for taking the time to chat!

Martha Stewart Wedding Party 2014!

This past sunday, I was lucky enough to attend Martha Stewart’s annual wedding party!  This year, it was held in the extravagant and beautifully decorated Gotham Hall, NYC.

Gotham Hall Martha Party

Carveable Iceblock

Not your average ice sculpture, this one was carve-able, and branded by our very own Nadia D.!

There were a ton of amazing vendors, both new to the industry and seasoned veterans, all offering a wide variety of goodies and displays.

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Oysters from Oyster XO were shucked on site and served fresh to guests. Yum!

 

Dress from Gabriella Salon

Gabriella New York showed some fabulous dresses and headpieces.

 

Caviar Engagement Ring

My personal fave was Peter Callahan & Callahan Catering with these adorable caviar and cracker “engagement rings.”

Newlywish

NewlyWish was one of many newer startups in attendance.  This registry website, along with other companies like Josh Gelb’s Kleinfeld Name Change and Hitch Switch signify that newcomers are welcome and important in the bridal industry.  I was excited to see some newbies for the first time.

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This “Ask the Experts” panel included many known names within the industry such as Peter Callahan and fashion designer Amsale Aberra, as well as newcomer Kellee Khalil of Lover.ly.

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I was so thrilled about all of these startups–I even got to hang out with these four amazing ladies!  Here I am with Nearly Newlywed founder Jacqueline, How He Asked founder Stacy, Jessica, the Budget Savvy Bride, and Brittny,  Love Inc. Magazine founder.

Uptown Magazine features 6 Clients in Wedding Issue

More and more lifestyle publications are capitalizing on the growing wedding market and releasing annual Wedding issues just in time for the engagement season. As a bridal public relations agency, we were contacted by the editors of Coastal Living and Uptown magazines to help guide them on what’s new and hot in the wedding industry.

Today, we’d like to share the gorgeous 2013 Weddings & Travel issue of Uptown, a luxury lifestyle glossy for affluent African Americans, which featured not one, not two, but SIX of I Do PR clients!!

Cover of Uptown Magazine

 

Uptown’s front of the book section featured the bachelorette planning platform The Bach as “Something New”.The Bach is featured in the "Something New" section of Uptown magazine

 

In its Real Weddings section, Uptown featured two gorgeous weddings by Nadia D Photography. This modern one from Atlanta:

Gorgeous real wedding shoot by Nadia D in Uptown Magazine

As well as this destination wedding from Jamaica:

Jamaica destination wedding Nadia D Photography

The Fashion section featured two of our designer clients. In “Hide & Chic” you can see the short white leather ensemble by New York bridal wear designs Della Giovanna:

 

Amazing dress made up of Della Giovanna Separates featured in Uptown Magazine

 

 

 

“Black is Back” featured a gorgeous bow-filled black cocktail dress by the ladies at Kirribilla:

Beautiful Black Bridesmaid dress by Kirribilla is featured in Uptown Magazine

 

 

This “Sugar & Spice” inspiration story featured not one, but two of our clients! Here you can find the floral invitation by Weddingstar  as well as a stunning pink diamond engagement ring from Yael Designs:

An adorable invite by Weddingstar, accompanied by a stunning ring from Yael Designs are featured on a page of Uptown Magazine

 

 

 

Best Press Hits of 2013

As 2013 comes to a close, we are looking back at some of our favorite and most exciting client placements of the year.

The New York Times featured Weddington Way in an article on the new trends in bridesmaid dresses:

Weddington Way featured in The New York times June 2013

 

A gorgeous gown by up-and-coming designer Della Giovanna was featured in a fashion spread in the December 2013/January 2014 issue of  Brides:

Della Giovanna featured in Brides

 

The Winter 2013 issue of The Knot featured this ombre invitation by Weddingstar:

The Knot features Weddingstar

We were so excited to see one of our newest clients, The Bach, sharing bachelorette party tips with Destination Weddings & Honeymoons magazine:

The Bach in Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

 

Town & Country featured Lucky Sixpence Cards from Benign Objects:

Town & Country Weddings features Benign Objects

 

The San Francisco engagement shoot by Choco Studio was featured in this beautiful spread in Engagement 101 magazine:

Golden Gate Park Engagement Session Photographer Featured

 

Martha Stewart Weddings featured the grey Dahlia dress by Kirribilla in its Fall 2013 issue:

Martha Stewart features Kirribilla

 

The September/October 2013 Issue of Bridal Guide included this real wedding photographed by Nadia D. Photography

Bridalguide features photography by Nadia D

 

Premier New York music and entertainment company Star Talent Inc. shared first dance song advice with Glamour.

Glamour Weddings featured Star Talent Inc

 

The dazzling yellow diamond ring by Yael Designs was featured in Inside Weddings Fall 2013 issue:

2013_9-_InsideWedding

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

Last week, I flew to San Francisco to visit several of our clients before the engagement season heats up. The city, which is my hometown and the previous headquarters of I Do PR, greeted me in its full glory with amazing sunny skies and balmy temperatures (a welcome sight after a few freezing days in New York)

San Francisco

The main reason for my visit was to help celebrate the Grand Opening of Yael Designs new showroom in San Francisco’s Union Square, located across the street from boutiques by Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith, and inside the famed art gallery building at 49 Geary St.

Yael Designs San Francisco jewelry showroom

Before the party, I got to play with some new cocktail rings – working with a jewelry design brand definitely has its perks! 🙂

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Yael Designs grand opening party was part of First Thursdays – an open art gallery night at 49 Geary St. While several new collections were presented in cases, these two gorgeous ladies wore pieces from Yael Designs’ latest Serendipity Collection of emerald slice jewelry

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The evening festivities brougth out San Francisco’s jewelry and art patrons and it was a full house!

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But what was most incredible is that Yael Designs’ CEO Yehouda Saketkhou had his first daughter that morning!! While he deliberated on whether he can even make it to the grand opening, I was so happy his wife was gracious enough to let him leave her and the newborn baby to attend the event. Here we are with Yehouda on the best day of his life:

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San Francisco, where I Do PR was headquartered until 2012, is also home to some of our other clients. First, I made a stop at the new showroom of online bridal party fashion boutique Weddington Way just north of Union Square. The spacious showroom and rows upon rows of colorful, stylish bridesmaid dresses were hard to leave behind…

Weddington Way

But I had to rush off to the adorable Cafe de la Presse for lunch with Phoebe Davison, the founder of San Francisco-based dress designer Kirribilla. So glad I got to catch her just two weeks before she gets hitched this Xmas!

Kirribilla

I was great to visit my hometown of San Francisco and spend time with our clients!

I left my heart in San Francisco

New York Wedding Music Company Star Talent Joins I Do PR

We are very excited to welcome the premier New York music and entertainment company Star Talent Inc to I Do PR.

Star Talent Inc

Star Talent is a New York based music and entertainment production company that represents the industry’s top dance bands, DJs and customized ceremony ensembles. As a top choice for many celebrity weddings including the wedding of Paul McCartney and Catherine Zeta-Jones & Michael Douglas and are the recommended music service at some of New York’s most prominent wedding venues including The Peninsula Hotel, Trump Soho Hotel, The W Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton.

We especially enjoy working with the man behind Star Talent, CEO Michael Taylor, who has built a reputation for the finest music service in the wedding industry. A professionally trained conductor, Michael has perfected the art of hosting one-of-a-kind events from intimate weddings to celebrity performances. He has produced thousands of entertainment performances nationwide ranging from New Year’s Eve galas at The Waldorf-Astoria, performances for three U.S. Presidents and private concerts by Tony Bennett, Sheryl Crow, Lionel Richie and many others of the world’s top stars.

“I have spent my professional career listening carefully to event planners, venue managers and brides and grooms, providing each with the finest level of musical talent that fits their individual needs,” said Michael Taylor.

We are very excited to see this talented company gain attention in major media outlets. Here are a few recent features:

Glamour featured first-dance song advice from CEO Michael Taylor:

Glamour features Star Talent

Star Talent’s All Stars Dance Band was featured in New York Weddings Magazine‘s Fall 2013 issue:

NY Weddings featured Star Talent

 

Black Bride featured top wedding songs by Star Talent’s Charles St. Paul Band:

Black Bride featured Star Talent

 

Star Talent’s electric violinist was the opening act for the Della Giovanna runway show, which was featured on Brides:

Brides featured Star Talent

 

We are very excited to be working with such a talented company and cannot wait for their upcoming events!

 

 

 

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides.com

Who better to give wedding advice than a bride who works in the wedding industry? Well, that’s exactly what Brides thought when the online arm of the venerable CondeNast title introduced CEO of Weddington Way Ilana Stern as its featured guest blogger.

Over the past two months, Ilana has shared the ins and outs of planning her Southern California wedding while giving advice to other brides planning their nuptials.

Ilana Stern Guest Blogs on Brides

Ilana starts off the blog series by sharing her engagement story and how she and her fiance started their planning process.

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way guest blogs on Brides

She also shared her experience of picking out her wedding planner, Allyson Levine of Bob Gail Special Events, and advice on selecting a venue.

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides

For another Brides.com blog post, Ilana wrote about proposing to her bridesmaids, where she made custom champagne labels that said “Will you be my bridesmaid?” and had them delivered them to her bridesmaids across the world, as far as Dubai and Peru!

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides

This is one of Ilana and Jeff’s many adorable engagement shoot photos by the hugely talented Erich McVey (who is literally everywhere these days)! They had so much fun and Ilana tells Brides readers why an e-shoot is a good idea.

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides

After her dress shopping experience, Ilana provides brides with four important tips for searching for their perfect gown: be honest, bring trusted advisors, drink champagne and look at the dress in natural light.

 Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides

As the founder of Weddington Way, it’s only natural that Ilana let her bridesmaids get involved with picking out their dresses or, in her case, helping design their own personalized Watters gowns!

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides

Ilana and Jeff let their fun-loving personalities show through with their custom save the dates. They even had a separate version for their friends.

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides

Mini Spanish grilled cheese sandwiches, pesto and tomato crostini, brick oven pizza, blood orange margaritas and ice cream sandwiches! Ilana dishes to Brides.com readers on the yummiest part of wedding planning and how to personalize their menu.

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs on Brides

After months and months of wedding planning, everyone deserves a relaxing and fun bachelorette party! The company, details, dream location, agenda, the unexpected, and the fun all play into the fun and relaxing feel.

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest Blogs for Brides

The week before the wedding could be stressful, but Ilana made it the most amazing wedding week with four helpful tips!

Ilana Stern of Weddington Way Guest blogs on Brides

Ilana finishes off her guest blog series for Brides.com with her unconventional rehearsal dinner turned cocktail party! Now we can’t wait to see her big day featured in the February issue of Brides magazine!

Google Hangout: How to be the Best Bride-Bridesmaid Duo

Today, two of our clients, Ilana Stern, CEO of online boutique for bridesmaid dresses Weddington Way and Joanne Barken, founder of the first platform for planning bachelorette parties The Bach, joined Cathleya Geefay, Editor in Chief of Weddingbee, Xochilt Gonzales, event designer at A.a.B. Creates, and wedding editor Anne Chertoff for the weekly Google Hangout “From I Will to I Do.”

The wedding pros discussed some of the major stresses and trends when it comes to having or being a bridesmaid.

Check out the video of the Google Hangout: